Have you ever thought about renting your own private island? It's not as crazy as you might think. Renting an island is possible, and in Croatia, there are islands that can be rented for as few as two or three days.

From the island of Susac in Croatia to the Dalaro private island of Sweden, several European islands are available for rent through the website Visiwa.

In 2012, Arno Nurski, a 27-year- old native of Belgium came up with the idea of marketing island rentals through an organized and transparent online platform. When he first became interested in personally renting an island in Europe, he realized the lack of property information and hassle in contacting the owner. {loadposition article-ad}

Nurski says he and his co-founder, Bart Vangeneugden, started talking to island owners and other industry players like tour operators and travel agents as well as adventurous travelers.

“And the main thing that came out of these talks was that people seem to be very interested in renting these islands, but they are just not aware that they could rent them,” says Nurski.

The website

Island rental seekers can navigate Visiwa to discover information on a desirable island in Croatia, Norway, or Sweden. Island owners list the price of rent usually per night, accommodations, things to do, photos and a map of the area. Just as if renting a hotel online, a traveler can check availability with the click of a button. Arno Nurski, founder of Visiwa, visiting a European island. Individual island owners set any requirements meaning they decide how many people can rent the island, what type of people, and when they can rent it. For instance, Nurski says that one island owner does not like all the hassle involved with renting out accommodation so he prefers renting it to a family who might come back to the island year after year.

Visiwa ultimately serves as a communication vehicle for island owners to reach out to potential customers in their preferred manner. Every island is different which means owners can set various requirements for rent.

Some islands only have one house on the entire property while others, like Littleisland Lighthouse in Norway, operate more like a bed and breakfast. Travelers rent the accommodation and then someone on the island takes care of the visitors and cooks for them while serving as a bit of a tour guide by taking travelers fishing and on explorations throughout the island and neighboring islands. Sail boats passing through Prisnjak Lighthouse island.Prisnjak Lighthouse Island in CroatiaKoenraad Landuyt, a project control engineer from Belgium, heard about Visiwa through a friend from his university and instantly seized the unique opportunity. Landuyt chose Croatia because the other islands available at the time were rather expensive countries and scattered over dozens of miles of coastline. He has visited Croatia a couple times before and rented the island for one week with three other friends at the end of April 2013.

Including flights, accommodations, transportation, and food, the group spent roughly 100€ per day per person without even attempting to save money, but then again, a typical daily expenditure in Europe.

According to Landuyt, the island is oval shaped and roughly 200-300m long and 100m wide and is located roughly 200m from the Murter peninsula shoreline.

“The only building on the island is the lighthouse, which stands on the very edge of the island, facing the ocean. One side of the island is covered with small bushes and shrubs, while the other side of the island is covered by pine trees, a very cool switch on such a small island!” says Landuyt.

He also describes the landscape with rocky shorelines as opposed to sandy beaches in Spain and France.

“It creates some cool natural bays and allows for some fun 'trekking' and jumping rocks along the shore of the island. The view from the island is simply amazing, in the distance you see several hundreds of other islands, some with their own lighthouses which are very cool to watch at night.”

Island independence

“But feeling isolated on an island like that is a great experience in itself because you know you have to buy enough food, you know you can't get off the island anytime in a second, but that's the whole idea and charm of renting a private island!” says Landuyt.

Landuyt experienced the island in complete isolation with his friends, as they were the only ones there other than occasional motor or sailboats passing by the island. Although, according to the website, the boaters can stop ashore, none of them did, leaving the only human interaction between the group of friends. Koenraad Landuyt hanging out at the beach.“And believe me, this was awesome! No cell phones ringing, no children crying, no cars honking, no nothing, absolutely nothing but pure peace and calm –amazing!” says Landuyt.

The accommodation was the Prisnjak lighthouse itself which was divided into two 2-person bedrooms –one with a double bed and one with two separate beds, a large kitchen, a bathroom with a shower, and a storage room. Landuyt says the accommodation overall was more than OK and definitely better than his expectations for a private island.

“It was nothing fancy or state-of-the-art but more than enough and everything worked perfectly. The best thing about the accommodation was probably the beautiful view on the ocean you had from the bathroom window or from any other window for that matter,” he says.

Activities

Landuyt and his friends spent most of their days walking around the island, lying on the shore, swimming, playing some beach games, and reading here and there.

“In the evenings we always had elaborate barbecue dinners and afterwards passed our time talking,” says Landuyt. “I went with a group of friends from university and we hadn't seen each other in quite some time. So this was an ideal opportunity to catch up on each other's personal lives, careers and anything else we wanted to talk about.”

However, the only challenging part of living on the island was buying enough food and drinks including alcoholic beverages for four men to survive for almost a full week. The group tried getting enough food and drinks from the first time so they wouldn’t have to go back to the mainland, but they unfortunately failed. Within the first two days of the stay, they already had gone through their meat and beer. Contacting the ferry captain to pick them up and bring them back to the mainland for a short time easily solved the problem in the long run.

“Although a return trip cost us 60€, only 15€ per person, this was well worth it. During our couple of hours back on the mainland, we went to a small restaurant, stocked up on meat and beers and just strolled around the town a bit,” says Landuyt.

The lighthouse of Prisnjak Lighthouse island.

Overall Landuyt says Visiwa was very helpful and explained practically everything that he needed to know about how to get there, how and where to book the island, what to bring and what not to bring. “We didn't even bother to look anything up except for the flight times, as going on a private island adventure still is supposed to be an adventure with a small dose of ‘figure it out yourself’,” he says. “The information provided on the Visiwa website was more than sufficient.”

The owner in Norway

Elena Hansteensen is the 49-year-old Norwegian owner of the lighthouse and its property on Littleisland Lighthouse in Norway, but not the whole island. She is the only one living there all year round as no other houses surround her on the island.

She says some of the most common activities on the island are hiking, kayaking, fishing, bird watching and whale watching, seeing white nights with the midnight sun during the summer or searching for the northern lights during the winter.

Hansteensen began renting out her island because she wanted others to experience its intimacy as well. She was raised in the tourism business and has had all kinds of jobs within this branch when she was younger.

People can stay at Littleisland as long as they want although she normally offers 2-3 nights.

“It's a pleasure to be able to receive and meet people from all over the world on this small and fairly remote place at the open sea, in the arctic.”

Owner of Visiwa, Arno Nurski, says that he plans to map and gather as many European islands first, and the n focus on those located in the US, Canada, Philippines, Indonesia, Australia, among many others. The customer base is currently located in Europe so his website aims to find islands mostly suitable for these visitors.

For further island rental information, visit www.visiwa.com. For more detailed information on Littleisland Lighthouse, visit the home page of the island.

Kristina Kulyabina is an editorial assistant at GoNOMAD.com. She also blogs for Let's Go, a student travel guide. She is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Western Mass. Kristina attended UMass Amherst for a B.A. in journalism and an international relations certificate.{showgsearch Croatia}

Four Unique Places to Go, Four Unique Places to Stay in Manchester, EnglandBy Stephanie DiCarlo

Four Great Places to Go in Manchester

Manchester Art Gallery: This gallery holds one of England’s finest collections of art. Having recently undergone £35 million remodeling, this spectacular gallery allows visitors to see art from as early as the Renaissance to modern art. It displays art through different cultures, time periods, and people and plays host to an array of artistic events and exhibits, from romanticism to “The Sensory War,” an exhibit on display from October through February 2015, which displays art from the last century. Entry into this gallery is free.

Kosmonaut: This bar, situated in the center of Manchester’s busy Northern Quarter, might be a unique experience for the average bar goer. This bar is sporty, artsy, and quirky, described as a “fun hub” by those who have been there.

This bar hosts “artist meet ups,” in which local artists can get together and view each other’s work, find inspiration, or simply chat over drinks. Kosmonaut describes itself as a bar that is a “a daytime haven for lunches, coffee meetings and get-togethers, with a fine selection of artisan beers and craft cocktails for the evenings.” {loadposition article-ad}

Manchester235: This unique Vegas-style casino is the type of place you might not to expect in an English city. This entertainment center is “renowned for its authentic atmosphere” and “buzzing” with all types of crowds—those looking to win some money, those seeking entertainment, and those simply out for a good time. Play the slots, roulette, poker; Manchester 235 will give you the closest “Vegas experience” you’ll find in Britain. Manchester 235

National Football Museum: Anyone familiar with football (or soccer) will know that Manchester is a premier city in sports with two professional football teams in the city. If you have any interest in European sports, this museum will the perfect place to visit.

It offers just about everything you would want to see, know, and experience- except perhaps the players themselves! See exhibits on the history of football, the football league, and galleries of teams, trophies, and fanfare. It engages with the “drama, history, skill, art, faith, and style” of football. This museum is any soccer fan’s dream.

Velvet Hotel

Cool Places to Stay in Manchester

Velvet: Of all the hotels investigated, the Velvet Hotel simply had that “something” about it that made me want to see more.

In this boutique hotel located at the center of the city, no two rooms are the same. Each is uniquely and lavishly furnished. With brick walls and unique quirks, quests find this hotel to be cozy and charming.

And starting November first, they are offering a romantic getaway deal, complete with flower petals, roses, and chocolates set in your room before you get there, and only for £20.00 extra! Inside this hotel is also the Velvet Restaurant and bar.

The Place AparthotelThe Place Aparthotel: This hotel is exactly what the name suggests, a hotel that “offers all the amenities you would expect from a Four Star hotel, yet instead of hotel rooms we like to spoil our guests with spacious apartments.”

And visually, this hotel will definitely attract those with an artistic eye, with its bold colors and sharp edges, and it offers deals on weddings and Christmas parties. This hotel is perfect for anyone looking to stay a considerable amount of time in Manchester.

The Palace HotelThe Palace Hotel: This hotel is, indeed, a palace. It describes itself as an “iconic hotel & venue” and once you see the photos, you will understand exactly what that means.

This is a hotel that was not designed to be a hotel, yet makes a suburb one. It’s vaulted ceilings and exquisite rooms makes guests feel like royalty.

This hotel also has a lot of great offers; romantic weekend getaways, a shopping getaway, a business traveler break, and even a sea life offer, in which you’ll be treated to SEA LIFE, Manchester aquarium. This beautiful hotel will, indeed, make you feel like you’re staying in a palace.

And More

Great John StreetGreat John Street: This hotel may as well be your dream home. It has ten “classical grand junior suites,” beautiful double storyrooms. Some rooms have cozy lounge areas andfireplaces, as well as elegant furnishings.

Grand rooms have “spacious separate bathrooms” and tubs “made for two.” This hotel does well to point out that it’s made for two, and the beauty of its rooms and the surrounding area do well to add to the atmosphere of a romantic getaway.

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Stephanie DiCarlo is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts and has a Bachelor's degree in English and History, as well as a specialization in creative writing. She also writes for the young adult literature magazine Ultimate YA and she likes to travel and eat good food. You can follow her on Twitter at @ccioSteph

“Chico Hot Springs Resort is iconic in Montana,” says General Manager Colin Davis. “It’s one of the few quintessential places left in the state. It remains family owned and is still very much a home for the locals.”

The beautiful resort, located in southern Montana just north of Yellowstone, is rich in old history and embodies Western hospitality, which has been a tradition at Chico since the 1900’s. Visitors have the choice of either stepping back in time to a simpler era, or staying current and connected with the latest spa packages and technology.

Chico Hot Springs Resort dates back to the height of Montana’s gold rush, and just like the gold, Chico was one of Montana’s most valuable finds.

Travelers and tourists came from all over the country to experience Montana’s finest hot springs, classic Western cabins and a breathtaking view. There are horses to ride, very hot pools to relax in, and an impressive wine list that rivals that of the best restaurants in New York.

Chico dining room regulars include Jeff Bridges, Michael Keaton, Tom Brokaw and others, but they’re treated like regular people here, not Hollywood celebs. But his wine list tips off the high class clientele he attracts: it includes bottles of the rarest and hardest to find Burgundies like Romanee Conti, which very few bars can procure, let alone serve. “We buy a lot of wine, ” Colin explained.

Davis joined us at the head of our table at a sumptuous dinner one night, and told us his philosophy and some of the long

The view at Chico Hot Springs, as seen from one of the cottages up on the bluff.

history of this fabled resort with the hot pool and horse stables. “I tell the staff here, make the decision, make things right, go ahead, you don’t need to ask a supervisor. If you need to give them free dessert or free wine, DO IT, I want them to think like a boss, and act like one.”

His point was that this ain’t no stinkin’ corporation, this is a family business, and decisions can be made at lower levels just as well as at the top. So take the initiative, and do what’s right.

On our August 2010 visit, the twilight hours up on top of the hill with the million dollar view were surreal in their natural beauty; the vast expanse of prairie stretches as far as the eye can see, bordered by rugged mountains. It was a treat to wake up and see guests riding horses up the same slope across the valley the next morning in the brilliant sunshine.

Though we enjoyed staying in the elegant western cottages located on top of the hill and featuring the million-dollar view, other guests enjoy more humble quarters with a bed and a sink in the main building, starting at just $49 a night. It is important, Davis told us, for them to offer a wide range of prices to suit any guest's budget.

Montana's Backyard

The poolhouse at Chico Hot Springs, as seen from one of the cottages up on the bluff. The pools are fed by natural hot springs from a nearby creek. photo by Max Hartshorne.

Chico is known to some as, “Montana’s backyard,” Davis says. “The stories about coming here with parents grandparents, getting engaged, married or conceived here is always on someone’s lips. Everyone feels part of it and it is an emotionally warm place.”

Warmth of the heart and soul is not the only hot treasure Chico is known for, the natural hot waters still flow and draw people to relax and enjoy themselves all throughout the year. The hot springs pool is the center of attention at Chico, says Colin. It’s one of Montana’s greatest offerings, and loved by all who visit.

Activities & Guided Tours

While staying at this beautiful, relaxing resort, there’s no shortage of activities and tours. Chico is set in the foothills of the rugged Absaroka Mountains in Paradise Valley, Montana, about 40 minutes north of the Yellowstone National Park. Meals at the resort are a treat, the restaurant's garden produces just about all of the vegetables for the meals that the chefsin the Chico Dining room and Percie's Poolside Grille whip up.

In the summer, local fly-fishing is a big deal at Chico. You can take your fishing pole and gear to the Valley’s Spring Creeks, which are full of cutthroat trout.

The horses are also a main attraction at Chico. The Chico Horse Barn is extremely popular in the summer months. Guests can enjoy a slow, scenic ride through the prairies and foot hills of Paradise Valley, or sign-up for half day rides, moonlight rides, and even full day rides into Yellowstone Park are available upon request. The ranch gives children six or under pony rides, while the others ride the bigger steeds.

If you’re in the mood to really kick back and relax, then you can head for Chico’s Day Spa. The Day spa offers a variety of services such as massage therapy, geothermal therapy, spa treatments such as mud wraps and citrus salt glows, Spa Packages that range anywhere from $45-$125, and last but not least, they also offer tanning, manicures, pedicures, and even Yoga & Pilates classes.

Western Cottage atop the hill high above the resort. Gorgeous!!

The big pools are the star attractions here at Chico…the smaller pool gets up to 103 degrees and the larger one 98 degrees. They have to add cool water to the high temperature natural flow from the hotspring that is located on the property. Even a creek leading away from the pools still bubbles hot water with steam glimmering off it.

The big pool is right next to the bar…and how nice it is to sip a cold beer and move down to the hotter part of the pool. Kick back and just enjoy being enveloped in the warmth, like a wet hot, down comforter!

Whitewater Rafting

If you’re visiting Chico and looking for a more adventurous activity, then it’s time to hit the Yellowstone River for a Whitewater rafting adventure. If you’d still like to enjoy the river in a more low-key tone, then you’d want to experience the scenic float trip.

You can choose to either do a Half Day Adventure with Paradise Adventure Co., or a Full Day. A Half Day starts at $39, and a Full Day at $79. Paradise Adventure Co. promises to take you on a ride you’ll never forget. From the beautiful scenery to the thrilling rapids there is sure to never be a dull moment. The ride begins at Chico Hot Springs, and continues all the way towards Yellowstone Park. The Half-Day Adventure takes you on a 9 miles journey, while the Full-Day Adventure is longer and more intense.

A full-day whitewater adventure takes you from Chico Hot Springs Resort to Gardiner and raft on the border of Yellowstone National Park. You’ll even get to stop half way on a river island to enjoy a sack lunch prepared for you by the Chico Grill. During the second half of the day, you’ll be able to admire the beautiful rock formations in the canyon walls and hit the rapids Box Car and Yankees Revenge. After the long day, they’ll encourage you to take a relaxing soak in the hot springs before you retire for the evening.

The most popular attraction at Chico has to be Yellowstone Park, which is near the resort. Yellowstone offers a variety of tour packages, all day adventures and excursions. “Yellowstone trumps everything,” says Colin. “Cross country skiing in Yellowstone is also one of the most popular activities during the winter months, along with dog sledding and the hot springs of course.”

An early morning ride across the canyon at Chico.

One of the most recommended first-day activities at Yellowstone is called, “Yellowstone in a Day.” It incorporates a great overview of the park, park highlights, including Old faithful, Yellowstone Lake, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. These types of tours and adventures typically start at $70 for an adult and $35 for a child.

Lodging & Accommodations

When you arrive at your cozy Chico cabin complete with a beautiful mountain view like nothing you’ve ever seen before, that’s when you’ll really feel like you’re in Montana. In the winter, packages run from Jan-April 15th (Sunday –Thur) for $189.00, this includes a nights lodging, dinner and breakfast for two. Not a bad deal. They call this one, “The Winter Getaway.” You have the option of choosing from a wide variety of accommodations at Chico.

From the quaint rooms in their original Main Lodge to cozy cabins with gorgeous views, contemporary suites with oversized spa tubs to an A-frame chalet perched high on the hillside. For visitors looking for an extra special accommodation, Chico also even offers romantic railroad caboose nestled under the pines.

Yellowstone National Park is the trump card at Chico, nearly every guest wants to visit the giant park and see the amazing animals there.

There are no televisions in any of the rooms, and most of the accommodations also do not have phones.

But honestly, with the view, activities, hot springs and natural beauty of Chico, you don’t need technology. If you must keep in touch with friends or colleagues while at Chico though, there’s wireless internet access.

Prices stay the same

“Our prices do not change per season as our occupancy is 78% year round,” says Davis. There are 9 room types, hence the variation. There are small rooms in the old lodge with a double bed and a sink, and a beautiful stand alone honeymoon cabin with giant tubs and many windows. Many people also go for the standard double queens or large five bedroom Adirondack style homes.”

When you picture Montana’s greatest offerings such as fly fishing, Yellowstone Park, Hot Springs and Horses, visitors and travelers can’t help but also thing of Chico.

“It doesn’t matter where you go,” Colin says. “Chico is out there. Chico is Montana.”

The majority of us know from experience that when exploring a new city, national park, or fabulous attraction, the quality of hospitality and lodging can make-or-break a trip.

Whether it be a spectacular view, speedy room service, response to specific requests, the Wi-Fi service, or willingness to provide guidance on the area, where you end up staying has a lot to do with how much you will enjoy your holiday.

Whether venturing across the state or the Pacific, it has never been easier to find impressive deals on quality accommodations worldwide.

Luckily, more hotels than ever have found a great tool for reaching out to prospective customers across the globe: websites. A huge array of sites (such as Expedia and Hotwire) have emerged that allows web-surfers to compare and contrast deals on hotel prices.

However, what many Americans are not aware of is the greatest search engine for accommodation and travel deals on the net:Trivago.com. The advantage this site has compared to others is it that it provides comparison of hotel prices on a much larger scale, featuring the most sizzling deals from individual hotel-booking sites as well as independent hotels, resorts, hostels and all else in between.

140 Booking Sites, 605,000 Hotels

As the world’s largest hotel comparison site, Trivago's viewers can compare prices from over 140 booking sites for over 605,000 hotels worldwide. Looking for a simple breakdown of hotel deals by location, quality, services and attractions? Trivago has it. Searching for informative and honest reviews from past customers? Trivago has it.

There are 1.1 million people on Facebook around the world who Like Trivago--and in October 2012, the New York Time's Frugal Traveler column selected Trivago as one of the top ten travel bookmarks on the web!

With 34 million integrated user reviews, each month 18 million travelers trust the site to help guide them on their next adventure. And with the one request: “Don’t settle for less!” those browsing the site quickly learn the search for accommodations couldn’t be any more simple, affordable or convenient than this.

The website is well organized, captivating and full of discount hotel deals. Easily enough, front and center of the homepage is a search engine where the user types any city, and the five top-quality stays in that location will be listed below (with a description and photos to follow.) He can file the listings by popularity, rating or price.

The left-sided panel of the homepage showcases the 14 hottest deals of the day, and below that is a series of filters that allow the user to browse by individual hotel-booking sites, types of lodging (inns, resorts, hotels, hostels), hotel services, wellness, entertainment and technology. With such a large database of accommodations, trivago can do that.

Trivago has achieved incredible success since its launch seven years ago. The company was born in 2004 under a garage in Düsseldorf, Germany. Trivago went live on the web the following year, and by the end of 2005 the site reached close to 150,000 visitors per month. In 2007 trivago extended its business to Spain, France and the United Kingdom. Simultaneously, price comparison was initiated by including the rates of five different websites.

Today Trivago has established offices in seven countries, and airs TV campaigns in ten countries. Over the past few years it has become one of the world’s most renowned travel brands, recognized by over two thirds of citizens in Germany and Spain.

Who Is Behind it

By this point, you’re most likely wondering, “Who’s the brain behind the operation?” There are three actually. Rolf Schrömgens, Malte Siewert and Peter Vinnemeier are three colleagues who wanted to change the dynamic of hospitality and tourism, using technological savvies along with an honest approach to business that, combined, made for a unique brand.

The three claim that search technology is a large component to their success. They realized the need for an innovative approach to the hotel search system, and responded by creating a live search that scans over 140 different hotel booking sites within seconds.

Impressively, the site constantly discovers price differences of over 50% within the same hotels, providing access to some serious bargains for travelers. Compared to single hotel booking portals that can only offer thousands of hotels, the Trivago database holds over 605,000. With nearly 1 million searches per day on the site, the three men claim they are “always on the search for your ideal offer.”

Schrömgens, Siewert and Vinnemeier proudly define Trivago as an “independent information provider for consumers, [and a] reliable partner for hotel booking sites.” It is admirable how the site acts purely as a search engine, making zero profit in any hotel booking on partner sites.

Find the right room at the right price...there are more than 650,000 to pick from on Trivago.com!

No Hidden Booking Fees

Rather, the company acquires revenue from the booking sites that it features, as gratitude for helping bring them business. And what does that mean for the customer? No hidden fees attached to a hotel booking for the sake of Trivago, and no annoying pop-up ads cluttering the computer screen. Sounds like a win on both ends.

With filters to tailor specific accommodation requests alongside access to millions of reviews, Trivago aspires to find all the necessary information that lets the consumer themselves make the best choice. The company is founded on the belief in individuality of different hotels, there's the perfect hotel room for everyone.

With over one million “likes” on Facebook, it is evident that Trivago lives up to what it promises: helping users snag their ideal hotel for the lowest possible rate. The company is revolutionizing outlets of technology in tourism by providing the greatest accessibility to hotels across the globe, with no available deal left out of the picture.

Visit Trivago.com to explore all the hotel deals, reviews and advice the website has to offer.

Elle Rahilly is a former editorial assistant at GoNOMAD.com and lives in New York City, where she is in the apparel business.

Digital detox at a farm called Paradise in South Florida. Mary Nelen photos.Florida Natural: Rusticating in Paradise

By Mary A. Nelen

The winter of 2014 was kicking our ass. It was April and the snow was outrageous. The plan was simple. Get out of New England. My husband and I flew non-stop to Florida to a place called Paradise Farm.

This organic farm promised free breakfast and sunshine. There would be no GMO's or meat or processed food of any kind. There wasn't even cell service. We wouldn't have our own bathroom but Paradise wasn't expensive.

We are locavores and eat only local food. In New England, that means one root vegetable after another in the wintertime. But Florida! What we didn't count on was what the flowers had in store.

Day One – Welcome to Paradise

When we showed up at the place, a cattle fence stood before us. Behind it was a huge compost pile filled with rotten fruit. I tried to scale the fence but my husband pulled me back. "Honey," he said. I hadn't had a piece of fruit in months. {loadposition article-ad}

Skirting the property, we drove due north to a sky blue mailbox in front of a sandy drive that led us through a stately avocado grove. Swallows swooped and dipped as we drove about a half a mile to the guest parking lot where a pair of hounds came out to greet us. We were very far from our home in New England.

Out of the cold and into Paradise!The air smelled of fruit and when we got out of the car and the dogs raced around us as we lifted luggage from our rental car. "Welcome..." a voice said. From behind bamboo, a woman in cut-off shorts and a midi blouse appeared. "Thor, Ivan..." she whispered. "Please...."

Gabriele Marewski, the proprietress, had the level stare of a farmer. She gave us the once-over and began her tour. "Welcome to Paradise! You are so pale!" Tropical plantings intermingled with gardens, greenhouses and shelter for workers and guests. There was no air conditioning in the place. Palm trees were placed strategically to pick up wind and fan the humans below.

"We encourage an intimate relationship between the plants and earth," said Gabriele leading us to the main garden, a circle shape with plantings in various stages of flower. We stood in the center surrounded by greens and flowers in various stages of maturity. These were her cash crops.

"We send about 250 lbs of edible flowers off a week," she said and sprinted ahead to our bungalow, a screened-in affair on stilts. It was rustic and ready for us. On the other side of our bungalow, just off in the palm trees, some white boxes quivered in the fading light.

"Our bees do their work and retire to the corners of the farm," she said. Our hammock swung lazily. Inside the bedroom was all white. Gabriele walked ahead of into the room and propped up the window with a bottle of Champagne. Heaven.

Verdant vertigo at the Perez Museum in Miami.Day 2 The Flowers

On the first night, we fell asleep immediately under the whirring ceiling fan. A rooster woke us at dawn and then birdsong got us out of bed several hours later. We padded past early morning gardens to breakfast where a young woman with flowers in her hair wordlessly poured coffee from a French Press into white mugs. The wind fluffed the palms overhead. Flowers from the farm filled our granola bowls.

"Go ahead and eat them," said a voice.

It was our proprietress, Gabriele. "You close your eyes, breath in the scent and enjoy the experience...."

We proceeded to inhale, chew and swallow wild petunia, Johnny jump-ups and begonia. We became acutely aware of whispering. It was an art curator, a female of about 24 with a boy's haircut. She and two very beautiful Asian artists spoke briefly to us about their search for indigenous flowers. "We plan an installation about tea," said one of them. They were in search of a rare flower, the clitoria.

After they left, pushed back our chairs and jumped into our rental car. Our plan for the first day in Paradise was to hang out but instead we followed complete strangers to Biscayne Bay. A Dog from the Chinese Zodiac stood sentry. This was part of a large outdoor exhibit at the Perez Museum. The work was by artist Ai Wei Wei.

The Perez, which opened earlier in the year, is dedicated to the work of Latin American artists. The indoor/outdoor museum sits squarely on Biscayne Bay festooned with vertical gardens. Inside we discovered photography, hanging boats in the lobby, life-sized silouettes, a Calder, a Joseph Cornell and a Donald Judd.

A nap was tempting but we prevailed upon the gift shop where we bought post cards and peeked around corners for our elusive friends. There was art in the gift shop and scarves made with organic dyes. We opted for the café's display of French baked goods and ate on the terrace in company of a cruise ship docked for the day.

Back at Paradise Farm, we napped in the bungalow. After an hour or so, a hostess appeared not far from our hammock. Soon after people in hats showed up. Paradise opened its gates but to whom?

We learned we were to dine on the farm at an intimate 5-course meal. It started out as a civilized affair. Flutes of local sparkling wine were passed to people from Miami and chefs from Miami hurried about. Tables were set under a gazebo and Gabriele arrived to welcome the crowd in the later afternoon.

Hostess prepares for Miami's most ardent foodies."We are in a bubble here," she said. In Homestead, there is acre after acre of conventional farms. Gabriele extolled the virtues of organic fresh food and took a moment for politics.

"I can tell you our best defense against Monsanto is to grow your own seeds!" A woman asked where she might find some seeds to plant.

A group of about 50 traversed the grounds. When we came to a large tree with pink flowers Gabriele stopped the group. "All hibiscus is edible," she said Gabriele, "when it isn't sprayed." She winked at all of us, somehow, popped a bloom into her mouth. Then she bent down to pluck a blossom and handed it to a man standing next to her. The man put the white flower in his mouth and said, "Caliente!" Gabriele wiped his brow with her scarf.

Pre-prandial bubbly with a fruity demeanor.The tour progressed to the western part of the farm's 5 acres to sample petunias. "The energy of this plant will put you in touch with your wild pixie," said Gabriele. A guy held out a bloom to his date and whispered, "Will you become a wild pixie tonight?" They disappeared behind some shrubbery.

Dinner was al fresco and fairy lights festooned the premises. Chefs from Miami were cooking with Gabriele's flowers and greens. Each course was introduced by a chef and the wait staff worked with the alacrity of an EMT crew.As soon as we finished our baby carrots, black kale and smoked pumpkin, it was replaced by dehydrated oyster mushrooms and crispy potato gnocci.

As the meal progressed the mood at our table elevated from giddy excitement to insurgency. We hatched a plan to stay on the farm indefinitely. It would be a colony of like-minded souls existing on wild pixie energy and living like plants suffused with sunlight and warmth.

Baby kale at dawn at Paradise farm.Coffee brought us back to the current version of Paradise with a puffy conceit of tamarind, honey, ganache of local banana, baby basil and a ginger flower cloud. After the Miami people departed the farm fell quiet except for the bees.

Day Two – The Everglades

At breakfast the next morning we were served nasturtium with our granola. A voice told us to feel the energy of 'clarity' from the orange blossoms. They tasted of pepper.

It was Gabriella with advice about the Everglades, only half an hour away and a far cry from Disney and Miami. Perhaps it was the clarity provided by the flowers. Our desire to get deeper into jungle territory was irresistible.

We drove ten miles from Homestead along route 9336 to the Royal Palm Nature Center. There we witnessed first hand the flora and fauna that exist within the 1.5 million acres of saw grass that makes up the Everglades.

A boardwalk just inches above swamp areas brought us within eye contact of Great Blue Heron, egrets, sea turtles, an alligator, ancient and leathery and a variety of fish, endangered manatees and cormorant. We dove deeper.

At the Marina at Flamingo Bay we shoved off in a metal Old Town canoe and struck out to find an adventure and chose a difficult paddle on water that was choppy. We fell in with an osprey above that flitted from branch to branch in our path across the narrow passage. It swopped down right in front of the bow of our canoe and plucked a fish from the water. We stopped paddling and watched as it flew away with the prey dangling. By the time we returned to the Marina, the guard pointed to a large bushy nest. Our osprey was there, feeding his young. Exhaustion over took us and we limped back to the rental car, hungry for supper of our own.

Osprey with a fish in the Everglades.

Everglades National ParksFlamingo Visitor Center and MarinaState Road239-695-3010$10 per vehicle for 7-day permit

We drove back to Paradise and stopped on the way for some Puerto Rican food in the town of Homestead at Chefs on the Run where we consumed fried grouper with Puerto Rican Fried Rice and pork loin.

It was dropped on our

Porch with the paper at Paradise Farms.

plates by a chef who told us the bourbon maple sauce for the pork loin brought him a James Beard award.

It was delicious, like having a nice stiff drink for dinner if that stiff drink was infused with maple sugar and love.

Back at Paradise Farm we woke on the third day to breakfast on a terrace. It was raining and the jungle was even more beautiful sparkling with water. We were served the usual breakfast of granola, fruit, yogurt and fresh flowers. There was no voice. It was off running errands on the back of a motorcycle. We rusticated on our own for the day.

Walking down the streets of Palermo, Buenos Aires is like walking in a trendy, fashionable, upmarket part of London, New York or even Paris.

Within the Palermo world of café lates, cup cake shops, stylish restaurants and street designer wear, there’s a place with a difference that has the environment on its mind.

Take a walk on Guatemala Street and stop at number 4778. You have arrived in front of a gorgeous old colonial style terrace house, which is known as Eco Pampa Hostel, the first urban, ecological hostel in Buenos Aires.

So what’s so ‘green’ about this new hostel? {loadposition article-ad}

Well first it’s part of the Responsible Tourism Network which offers a certification in responsible tourism for its members and has a code of ethics that all members have to abide by. Each member is audited by the other members of the network making sure that no one exploits the certification and does what they say they do.

You can't miss the green building at 4778 Guatemala Street!If a business isn’t up to the standard of the code of ethics but wants to be part of the network, it needs to set clear objectives to become more sustainable with a precise deadline.

This code of ethics includes protecting natural resources and efficient use of resources as well as respect and inclusion of the local community into each business.

Apart from being part of the responsible tourism network, the more tangible differences that the hostel can boast are the recycled furniture splattered all around the reception and bar.

These pieces of furniture have had previous owners and were either part of old theatre sets from the buildings previous days, found on the street, or bought in second hand shops and auctions.

Bohemian Style

Each item was refurbished and decorated giving a unique, bohemian, yet stylish approach to the place. Walking up the stairs to the guest rooms, you will encounter more recycled furniture including old window frames converted into mirror frames, lamps having a chance to a second life and bedside tables painted as works of art all thanks to the talented Marcelo Soares Leguineche who is the official furniture artist of the hostel.

A simple room for only $15 a night!Speaking to the owner of Eco Pampa, Pablo Gueilburt, the hostel opened its doors in March 2010 with the idea of having the least amount of impact as possible on the environment.

The ideology of this innovative lodging is placed around being able to change peoples habits; e.g. compelling a guest to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth or persuading a guest to recycle. Changing habits will mean they have succeeded in their endeavor of environmental change.

If guests are keen to test out their cooking skills, there’s a kitchen available, equipped with recycling bins (collected by El Ceibo recycling cooperative) and cloth bags that you can borrow to go grocery shopping with (and therefore reducing the amount of plastic bags you use).

If you are lacking in an ingredient or two for your fabulous cook-up, you can head up to the organic garden located on the terrace.

Here you will find the local seasons herbs and perhaps a few extra vegetables to compliment your recipe. Organic waste is also separated and thrown together in the compost which goes directly back into growing more herbs and vegetables for future guests.

And the cost?

Well going against the grain of many ecological businesses, it has affordable prices starting at $15.00 a night including breakfast and Internet. You can check out all of their prices and much more through the Eco Pampa Hostel website www.hostelpampa.com.ar as well as information about the Responsible Tourism Network at this website.

While staying in Buenos Aires, what can I do?

Buenos Aires is a breeding ground for creativity, culture, art and bohemian lifestyle. To take this all in, you can do the Art walk, which introduces you to street art, architecture, hidden galleries and museums creating some of the charm and culture of San Telmo, one of the most historical neighbourhoods of BuenosKids painting a mural in a community project in La Boca. Aires.

This beautiful locality also hosts a massive Sunday feria (market) that takes up a large part of Defensa street, where you can find collections of antiques, paintings, photos, B.A. memorabilia, arts and crafts as well as street performers and perhaps even some tango.

There are also countless museums and galleries to visit including the Mueseo Nacional de Bellas Artes, one of Argentina’s most important art museums, where you can see works of art from many local artists such as Prilidiano Pueyrredón, Morel, Della Valle, etc, as well as some paintings by famous European artists such as Rembrandt, Monet, Picasso, Goya, Van Gogh and El Greco.

Another museum not to be missed if interested in the history and politics of Argentina is the Museo Evita, which as the name implies, is a tribute to the famous Eva Peron, first lady of Argentina between 1946 and 1952.

Entrance to Recoleto Cemetary.If you fancy an alternative tour you should definitely check out Anda Responsible Travel, dedicated at providing responsible tourism, respecting the environment and promoting fair trade and social justice.

They offer trips outside of Buenos Aires, to e.g. indigenous communities but in Buenos Aires, they are well known for a tour that occurs around the neighborhood of “La Boca” (where the famous “Caminito” is located, a laneway with distinctive colorful houses superimposed on top of each other, tango restaurants and an arts and crafts market).

Instead of just seeing the main tourist attraction, Anda takes you to see the reality of La Boca where you meet with social projects and are able to see their activities and hear about their stories as well as take away some souvenirs.

Recoleta is where the famous cemetery is located where many rich and famous are buried below tombstones, mausoleums, temples and marble sculptures. It is amazing to walk La Boca--behind the Camanita lies the real Boca.around and see the work of art that has been created in this cemetery.

If you venture a little further in, down some little passageways, you will see some abandoned mausoleums that have a rustic beauty to them. You can take a free English tour on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11 am.

Getting around Buenos Aires is relatively easy considering that there are many modes of transport available to you. One of the favourites is using the free yellow bicycles on offer at various ‘stations’ in the city.All you need to do is registerand you’re then given the freedom to ride the city away!

Seeing a milonga is probably high on the list of things to do in Buenos Aires. There are many around but only two will be mentioned here. The first one is called La Catedral (www.lacatedralclub.com), which is located in a historical building, forming part of the cultural heritage of Buenos Aires.

There are Tango classes, milongas as well as a vegetarian restaurant that you can feast at. The other milonga is called Tango Queer, a gay milonga where gays and heterosexuals alike take to the dance floor and dance beautiful moves. It is located on Peru 571 in San Telmo and occurs every Tuesday night from 8.30 onwards. You can take classes, dance or just watch. www.tangoqueer.com/

To enjoy live music shows definitely check out where you will be subjected to famous tango artists, jazz artists and orchestra performances while sipping wine and dining.

In the Ciudad Cultural Konex the famous “La Bomba de Tiempo” play every Monday night at 7pm. They are a group of 12 percussionists who improvise using a system of over 70 signs to communicate with each other. The atmosphere created is of a large dance party, all moving to the tribal beats of drums, livening anyone’s mood.

To eat, you can either wonder the streets of Palermo or San Telmo and see what you come across or you can follow these few recommendations. If you like Turkish or Armenian food go to Sarkis, Thames 1101 in Palermo, which has many Arabian delicacies for very decent prices.

Be warned, get there early as there are many who are keen to get a table here. If you like pizzas then look no further; Buenos Aires is full of good pizzerias thanks to their Italian heritage.

Stools made from recycled materials at the hostel.One of the best is called El Cuartito, an unpretentious, local eatery with great pizza and prices to match, located at Talcahuano 937. El Refugio de Oleiros is a restaurant that belongs to the association of children that are descendents of Spanish immigrants. It has excellent seafood, fish and paella. It is located in San Telmo on Piedras 848, in an old club, which gives it a homely mom and pop feel.

Of course, Argentinians are famous for their parillas and so it goes without saying that a Parilla restaurant be included. Don Julio is located in Palermo, (Guatemala 4691) and is traditional in style with wood and leather being the focus of the decoration. It has great steaks and homemade salsas such as the well-known chimichurri.

As for bars, there are also hundreds and thousands to choose from in this abundant city. A couple that are charming are: Las del Barco located in San Telmo on Bolivar 684. It has a colourful interior with a cosy, bohemian feel and with good tapas and cocktails.

La Barceloneta on Bolivar 591 is a late night venue, which has projection nights of cult films, guest dj’s all in an old school bar atmosphere. Bar Gribaltar is an intimate place where you can have interesting conversations, play pool as well as have a good feed, located on Peru 895.

Enjoy Buenos Aires and it’s vibrant art, culture, traditions and creativity. Be sure while you visit to choose responsible and green tourism as best you can.

Celine Massa spends her time, in between travels, in Australia, working on sustainability projects, writing and taking photos on subjects that tickle her fancy and using her passions for social purposes. She has recently been introduced to the world of parenting uses her parent adventures and musings for creative purposes.